“63% of UK adults say that when people are kind to them, it has a positive impact on their mental health.”
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24th May), and Student Services are getting involved by talking about kindness.
Kindness can be taken for granted, it might not be something we think about until its highlighted but it can make such a difference to someone – a compliment, a message of thanks or a small gesture can go a long way, making us feel good. Research shows kindness can have a huge impact on our mental health– “There is some evidence to suggest that when you help others, it can promote physiological changes in the brain linked with happiness”. “63% of UK adults say that when people are kind to them, it has a positive impact on their mental health”. – Mental Health Foundation.
Over the last few months, we have seen small and large acts of kindness; Thursdays’ Clap for Carers, sewing scrubs for the NHS, posters of thanks and encouragement in windows up and down the UK, and Captain Tom Moore raising an extraordinary amount of money for the NHS.
How are you being kind to yourself and others? What acts of kindness have you witnessed during this time? – Student writer Jenny Putnam talks about her experiences of kindness over the last few months:
Kindness in the community
During these trying times, an act of kindness can go a long way. I have been in the fortunate position of living in such a wonderful community with lovely people. When quarantine began one of my neighbours set up a group chat to keep people connected and so far, I have seen so many acts of kindness! One of the community members collects leftover food from supermarkets and gives it out to those who need a little extra help during these times. Another lady has been putting small plant pots containing various vegetable plants outside her house for anyone to collect – I collected a cauliflower plant the other week and it’s growing wonderfully! There’s also a man who collates a weekly quiz, where we all answer generic questions about ourselves (if you want) and he shares them with the group, keeping it completely anonymous. This way, we get to know one another without giving too much about ourselves away!
Whilst what my community is doing is wonderful, one thing I have learnt is that it really isn’t about the big things! There are so many small gestures, which mean so much to people. One of the people who set up the group sends in a little picture with a nice quote on it into the group each week to lift people’s spirits! Also, whenever someone goes shopping, they always offer to pick things up for those people who perhaps cannot leave the house quite as easily as others and I have no doubt this brightens up their day!
If quarantine has taught me one thing it’s to appreciate the little things in life because those things often become the big things. Always be kind, as some people can’t do the things that we often take for granted!
Get involved with acts of kindness with the Mental Health Foundation
- Pick an item from the list below
- Take action
- Share the kindness on social media
- Tag @mentalhealth on Twitter and @mentalhealthfoundation on Instagram and Facebook
- Use the hashtag #KindnessMatters
- Call a friend that you haven’t spoken to for a while
- Tell a family member how much you love and appreciate them
- Make a cup of tea for someone you live with
- Arrange to have a cup of tea and virtual catch up with someone you know
- Help with a household chore at home
- Arrange to watch a film at the same time as a friend and video call
- Tell someone you know that you are proud of them
- Tell someone you know why you are thankful for them
- Send a motivational text to a friend who is struggling
- Send someone you know a joke to cheer them up
- Send someone you know a picture of a cute animal
- Send an inspirational quote to a friend
- Send an interesting article to a friend
- Contact someone you haven’t seen in a while and arrange a phone catch up
- Spend time playing with your pet
- Reach out to call a friend, family member or neighbour who is experiencing loneliness or self-isolation
- Donate to a charity
- Lend your ear – call a colleague and ask how they’re finding the change in routine
- Give praise to your colleague for something they’ve done well
- Arrange to have a video lunch with a colleague
- Send an inspirational story of kindness people around the world are doing for others to someone you know
- Donate to foodbanks
- Offer to skill share with a friend via video call – you could teach guitar, dance etc.
- Offer support to vulnerable neighbours
- Offer to send someone a takeaway or a meal
Kindness stories – a video from the Mental Health Foundation
Have you experienced acts of kindness over this period?
A week of Kindness
Student Services are posting notes, such as the ones below, on Twitter every day this week, simple messages for you to share or tag a friend in. Keep up to date with the Student Life Twitter to see the ones you have missed!
Support
Be kind to yourself, mental health is so important to us all, reach out if you need support, it can be hard to do, but you are never alone. Here are a few helpful links that you might find handy:
- Student Welfare team – The team are offering continued support by telephone for any personal difficulties you may be feeling. Please contact them by email to arrange an appointment.
- Counselling and Wellbeing team – All scheduled sessions are continuing as planned, over the telephone. Visit their website for further information about how to register with the service if you think you would benefit from this.
- Big White Wall – a free, online support community which provides a safe and anonymous space to share your thoughts and feelings, as well as accessing a range of self-help articles videos and online courses Support our Students
- Welfare Directory RUSU – The RUSU Welfare Directory provides contact details for a variety of organisations and support within, and external to, the University of Reading.
- Mental Health Foundation – Find our more about the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week and resources to help with your mental health.
- Sport in Mind – this week, charity Sport in Mind are holding ‘Don’t Drop the Ball on mental health’, an initiative raising awareness of mental health problems and the benefits of being active. Challenge yourself to complete 10 keep ups (or however many you can) using any ball or suitable sports equipment.
- Essentials Support and Wellbeing – For further links to University support teams available to help you.